New Orleans Health Department wants to Help You Fight Mosquito-borne Diseases

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“Parts of the United States that once had steady precipitation are now experiencing periods of drought punctuated by heavy rainfall. Sudden deluges leave behind puddles of standing water—moisture that mosquitoes need to hatch their eggs. In addition, hotter weather is shortening these eggs’ incubation times, increasing the overall mosquito population. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite, and warmer weather makes them more likely to do so.” For the rest of the article from the National Resource Defense Council, please visit the link below:
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/climate-change-bites?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtpDMBRC4ARIsADhz5O77pxziJinrMJzvQ4bT-F4GFHjub3rBfSNaO0XdZ5sDIuPHQmAux4AaAiGcEALw_wcB

The New Orleans Health Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of keeping their facilities and homes as mosquito-free as possible.

 

This is important to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue, and West Nile virus. Mosquitoes in New Orleans are able to carry and infect humans with all three diseases. Zika has been proven to be transmitted through unprotected sex.

In order to help you become mosquito-free, the Healthy Environments team at the New Orleans Health Department is happy to visit your facility and offer a number of services.

The New Orleans Health Department can provide mosquito education training which discusses the importance of a mosquito-free environment, risk factors for disease, and personal protection methods.

Additionally, the New Orleans Health Department can provide mosquito repellent or an inspection of your facility to help you make sure that you are doing everything possible to be healthy and mosquito-free.

If your organization is hosting an event and would like for the New Orleans Health Department to attend the event and provide information to participants, please send an email to [email protected] or call (504) 669-2659.

To help keep you and your community safe, follow the tips outlined in the PDF in the link below:
Zika1info

Following a review of existing research on Zika virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has concluded that Zika virus causes microcephaly and other severe brain defects in babies. The CDC finding was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

In their review, researchers looked at studies conducted in Brazil and French Polynesia during recent outbreaks of Zika virus. In September 2015, researchers in Brazil reported an increasing in the number of infants with microcephaly. French Polynesia noted a similar increase of this brain defect during an outbreak there in 2013 and 2014.

One Brazilian study of 88 pregnant women infected with Zika who underwent prenatal ultrasonography testing found fetal abnormalities in 29 percent of the cases.

The CDC is concerned that the American public is not well-informed or well-prepared with regard to the Zika virus despite its best efforts. An Associated Press poll found that four out of 10 Americans have heard little or nothing at all about Zika virus.

Ninety percent of Americans who have heard of Zika know it can be spread through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus but only 57 percent were aware the virus can be spread through sexual intercourse with an infected person.
To date, Americans infected with Zika have acquired it through travel to countries with active mosquito-borne transmission of the virus. The CDC has posted travel warnings for Americans traveling to these Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The CDC has advised women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant to avoid travel to Zika- affected areas. It has also expanded the initial guidance to include women’s partners, as it has become more clear that the virus is spread through sexual contact.

Currently, the mosquitoes that carry the virus, Aedes aegyptiand Aedes albopictus, are present in at least 30 U.S. states, according to the CDC. Since no vaccine exists to prevent Zika, the agency is recommending the following preventive measures:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.
Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
Use insect repellents, even if pregnant or breast-feeding.
Treat clothing with permethrin.
Prevent sexual transmission by using condoms or abstaining from sex.

Reviewed by Dr. David Priest, medical director for infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, Novant Health

Article above courtesy Novant Health:
https://www.novanthealth.org/home/about-us/newsroom/healthy-headlines/articleid/279/protect-yourself-from-zika-this-mosquito-season.aspx?mobilewidthcheck=y

The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board works to enhance the quality of life in New Orleans by monitoring and controlling populations of mosquitoes, termites, and rodents, to reduce rodent and insect-borne disease and destruction.

The Board manages all pest populations in the most environmentally safe, efficient and economical manner.

Integrated Mosquito Control
An integrated mosquito management approach is used by The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTCB).  This involves vector population surveillance, public education, larval mosquito habitat reduction, and chemical control of larval and adult mosquitoes. Larval source reduction (i.e. the physical elimination of larval breeding sites) involves the inspection and removal of man-made containers (including tires), clutter and trash around residences. For sites that cannot be removed or drained, biorational larvicides are used to target developmental stages. Adult mosquitoes can be treated on a yard, block or residential level using a variety of equipment; backpack or hand-held sprayers, trucks and airplanes. Click Here for Audio Visual Presentation

For more information about the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board please visit the link below:

https://www.nola.gov/mosquito/

Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes

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information below is from the City of New Orleans’ website

americantropics

The City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (NOMTCB) and the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) are working with partners to provide you with information about Zika.  NOTCMB is monitoring the mosquito population.  Mitigation efforts to limit the mosquito population will utilize a combination of chemical control and habitat reduction methods as needed.

Zika Information

What is Zika? 

Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also spread when an infected man has sex with his partner. Most people with Zika do not know they have it. Symptoms are usually mild, lasting about a week.

Common Symptoms: Fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms include headache and muscle pain. If you develop symptoms within 2 weeks of travel, see a doctor and tell the doctor where you traveled. For more information about Zika visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention external link external link.

View our factsheet for more information about Zika.

Travel Precautions 

On January 15, 2016 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel alert for people traveling to regions where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. For an up-to-date list of travel notice countries view our tab below or visit CDC Travel external link external link.

Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. For more information, view our factsheet for pregnant women.

What is the city doing?

The City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (NOMTCB) and the New Orleans Health Department are working with partners to provide you with information about the Zika virus as well as monitoring the mosquito populations. Click here to read the City’s Zika Plan. 

Need more information?

For more information on mosquitoes visit New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board external link.

Zika Protection InformationHealthcare ProvidersTravelers Travel Notice Countries Pregnant Women

Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes

Late summer is the most common time of year for mosquito activity but they can breed and bite during all warm weather months.

How to protect yourself from mosquitoes

  • Dusk and Dawn — Mosquitoes that can carry Zika are day biters and most active during dusk and dawn.
  • Dress — Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants. For extra protection, treat clothing with permethrin.
  • DEET — Use EPA-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective.
  • Drainage — Remove standing water around the home in places such as plant containers, old tires and buckets.

How to protect your home from mosquitoes

  • Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it.
  • Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.
  • Place screen on rain barrels or water collecting containers and use the water within a week.
  • Report illegal dumping, abandoned swimming pools and water leaks by calling 311.

For more information view our factsheet. For information about pets, view our pet factsheet.

 

The mosquitoes that spread the chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses are aggressive daytime biters, but they also bite at night.

The best way to prevent getting sick is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Here’s how:

Cover up!

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Keep mosquitoes outside

  • Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
  • Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Use insect repellent

  • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or para-menthane-diol (PMD). Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
  • Always follow the product label instructions.
  • Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
  • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
  • To protect your child from mosquito bites:
    • Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
    • Do not use products containing OEL or PMD on children younger than 3 years old.
    • Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
    • Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
    • Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
    • Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
  • Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
    • Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last.
    • If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
    • Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.

For more information, visit Insect Repellents: Reducing Insect Bites.

Chikungunya: Fact sheets and posters

 

Chikungunya

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Chikungunya

It sounds like a new restaurant offering but it isn’t.  What chikungunya is, is one of the many viruses that the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board works to protect you from every day.   Mosquitoes that can transmit these viruses include the Yellow fever mosquito and the Asian Tiger mosquito.  These mosquitoes are also present in Louisiana. Early detection of the symptoms and avoiding mosquito bites will help prevent the disease from spreading. You can learn more about the work of the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board in the link:  http://www.nola.gov/mosquito/

Claudia-Riegel-2014aug11At last night’s meeting in Faubourg St. John, Claudia Riegel, Director of the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board, spoke about the board’s dedication to safety and the scientific ways the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board works to keep the citizens of New Orleans safe. Ms. Riegel emphasized that residents are encouraged to contact the NOMTCB to inspect standing water or with any other questions or concerns regarding mosquitoes, West Nile or Chikungunya viruses at (504) 658-2440 or email [email protected].

  • Chikungunya virus is transmitted to people by two species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Both species are found in the southeastern United States and limited parts of the Southwest; Aedes albopictus is also found further north up the East Coast, through the Mid-Atlantic States, and is also found in the lower Midwest.
  • People infected with chikungunya virus typically develop fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include muscle aches, headaches, joint swelling or rash. This virus is not spread person to person. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment for infection.
  • The best way to protect yourself and your family from chikungunya is to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, using air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside, and reducing mosquito breeding ground such as standing water.

mosquito-warning

https://fsjna.org/2014/08/fight-the-bite/

 


NEW ORLEANS, LA – The City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (NOMTCB) has detected an elevated number of mosquitoes in the area, including the “southern house mosquito” which is the primary carrier of the West Nile virus. On Tuesday, July 8, 2014, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reported the state’s first human cases of West Nile virus of 2014 have been confirmed in Livingston Parish. At this time, no cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Orleans Parish.

chikungunya_1The City is continuing to take proactive measures to protect citizens. NOMTCB has responded by going door-to-door treating and eliminating mosquito breeding sites, including abandoned tires, and applying insecticides by fog trucks and airplane. The City will continue these efforts throughout the summer. Residents should protect themselves from the mosquito borne diseases by reducing the number of mosquitoes around their homes.

SAFETY TIPS

Protecting Yourself

  • Reduce mosquito exposure by limiting outdoor activities when mosquitoes are active.
  • Use air-conditioning or make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside.
  • If you will be outside for long periods of time, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
  • The CDC recommends using repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients including, DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.
  • The CDC recommends always following the recommendations appearing on the product label when using repellent.
  • Visit: http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html external link for more information.

Protecting Your Home

  • Reduce the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around your home, where mosquitoes breed.
  • Remove trash and clutter, dispose of discarded tires and other containers that can hold water and have accumulated on your property. Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys or anything that could collect water.
  • Change water weekly in containers that cannot be removed, such as pet dishes, bird baths and kiddie pools.
  • Rain barrels and other water collecting containers must be screened. Use collected water within one week.
  • Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
  • Report illegal dumping, abandoned swimming pools and water leaks by calling 311.
  • Report unattended pools to 311.

Tires are ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes. Tires are easily filled with water by rain and collect leaf litter, providing an ideal “incubator” for mosquito larvae. Eliminating scrap tire dumps will eliminate a prolific mosquito habitat.

  • Residents can place up to four (4) tires weekly, stacked curbside, with their household trash in front of their properties.
  • Tires in front of abandoned lots will not be collected; they must be moved in front of a residence with curbside collection.

Citizens can also bring up to four (4) tires to the City’s Recycling Drop-off Center on the second Saturday of each month which is located at 2829 Elysian Fields Avenue between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Drop-Off information can be found at http://nola.gov/sanitation/recycling/drop-off/ external link.

Residents should call 311 for information for collection of discarded furniture (including mattresses).

TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS

The State of Louisiana advises that anyone traveling abroad should also take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes in other countries. Mosquitoes in other parts of the world including the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa, or Europe might infect you with Chikungunya or dengue fever. For more information about these diseases, visit the CDC’s http://www.cdc.gov/Chikungunya external link.

Mosquitoes that can transmit these viruses include the Yellow fever mosquito and the Asian Tiger mosquito.  These mosquitoes are also present in Louisiana. Early detection of the symptoms and avoiding mosquito bites will help prevent the disease from spreading.

If you travelled to the Caribbean or any other endemic areas of the world and present with symptoms, seek medical attention and avoid mosquito bites.  Notify your physician of your travel history.

Residents are encouraged to contact the NOMTCB to inspect standing water or with any other questions or concerns regarding mosquitoes, West Nile or Chikungunya viruses at (504) 658-2440 or email [email protected].

https://fsjna.org/2014/08/fight-the-bite/

 

west-nile-mosquitos

FIGHT THE BITE

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west-nile-mosquitos

mosquito-warningDHH Confirms Six New

West Nile Virus Cases

Health Officials Urge Residents to

“Fight the Bite”

Friday, August 1, 2014  |  Contact: Media & Communications: Phone: 225.342.1532, E-mail: [email protected]

BATON ROUGE, La.—The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is confirming six new West Nile virus cases this week, bringing this year’s total number of cases to 15. This week’s new infections include three cases of neuroinvasive disease in Caddo Parish, two cases of West Nile fever, with one each in Caddo and Livingston parishes, and an asymptomatic case in East Baton Rouge Parish. This week’s cases can be found in the weekly West Nile virus Surveillance report by clicking here.

“If you’re going outside, protect yourself,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard. “If mosquitoes are biting, everyone is at risk. We recommend you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your children. We encourage everyone to control the mosquito population by dumping standing water from containers around their home. This prevents mosquitoes from reproducing.”

Humans contract West Nile when they are bitten by mosquitoes infected with the virus. When people are infected with West Nile, the virus will affect them one of three ways. West Nile neuroinvasive disease is the most serious type, infecting the brain and spinal cord. Neuroinvasive disease can lead to death, paralysis and brain damage. The milder viral infection is West Nile fever, in which people experience flu-like symptoms. The majority of people who contract West Nile will be asymptomatic, which means they show no symptoms. These cases are typically detected through blood donations or in the course of other routine medical tests.

About 90 percent of all cases are asymptomatic, while about 10 percent will develop West Nile fever. Only a very small number of infected individuals will show the serious symptoms associated with the neuroinvasive disease. Residents who are 65 years old and older are at higher risk for complications, but everyone is at risk for infection.

Last year, Louisiana saw 34 cases of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in the state, which is down from 2002’s high of 204 cases of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease. DHH has been tracking West Nile Virus for more than a decade, and statistics about its occurrence in Louisiana can be found online at www.dhh.louisiana.gov/fightthebite.

SAFETY TIPS

Protecting Yourself

  • If you will be outside, you should wear a mosquito repellent containing DEET. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that repellents should contain no more than 30% DEET when used on children. Insect repellents also are not recommended for children younger than 2 months. CDC recommends that you always follow the recommendations appearing on the product label when using repellent.
  • Apply repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Do not apply under your clothes or on broken skin.
  • To apply repellent to your face, spray on your hands and then rub on your face.
  • Adults should always apply repellent to children.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors for long periods of time.
  • Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.
  • Make sure that your house has tight-fitting windows and doors, and that all screens are free of holes.

Protecting Your Home

    • Reduce the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around your home, which is where mosquitoes breed.

Standing-Water

  • Dispose of tin cans, ceramic pots and other unnecessary containers that have accumulated on your property. Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys or anything that could collect water.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers. Drainage holes that are located on the container sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed.
  • Check and clean roof gutters routinely. They are often overlooked, but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
  • Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended by a family for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.

 

Chikungunya Fever/Dengue Fever

DHH continues to monitor Chikungunya Fever and Dengue Fever, and include any reported cases in its weekly Arbovirus Surveillance Summary.  DHH has no new cases of either disease.

TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS

Anyone traveling abroad should also take the precautions listed above to protect themselves from mosquitoes in other countries. Mosquitoes in other parts of the world including the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa or Europe might infect you with chikungunya or dengue fever. For more information about these diseases, visit the CDC’s website by clicking here.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH’s Twitter account and Facebook.

More information about mosquitoes can be found at National Geographic’s website at http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/mosquito/